Andrew Flintoff and Gary Lineker caught in Taliban attack

Freddie Flintoff and Gary Lineker were caught up in a Taliban attack as they
visited troops in Afghanistan.

The England cricketer and BBC presenter had to scramble for cover under tables in an Armed Forces dining room after an alarm warned of incoming rocket fire. The all-clear was given thirty seconds later.

Flintoff, 31, said after the drama at Kandahar airbase: “I thought it was a wind-up but then I saw everyone dive to the floor. It was scary.”

He told the Daily Mirror: “I’ve have seen things over the past few days that will live with me for ever. You see news reports, but when you see it first hand you realise what a great job they're doing.

"It’s been humbling and has put my life into perspective. I play cricket for my country – but then you come here and meet people of 18 fighting for their country."

Lineker, 48, was hit by a second scare when his military jet lost an engine before landing safely. He said: “Hearing that alarm really brought home what’s going on. You take your hat off to these guys here.